I have read it before, but thanks again. I really enjoyed it! It is lovely, and God does live under the bed, as well as all around. I know -he holds me in his hands. Hope ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert J Younger" <[email protected]> To: "Younger Mailing List" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2006 1:44 AM Subject: [YOUNGER] GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED > I figured you might like this. > > >From Robert > ------------------------------------------------------------- > GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED > > > > I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least > that's what I heard him say one night. > > > > He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, "Are > you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed..." > > I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives > are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long > after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world > Kevin lives in. > > He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties > during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in > which he is an adult. > > > > He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he > always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, > that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every > Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them. > > I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. > > Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? > > Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to > walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for > dinner, and later to bed. > > The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly > over the washing machine like a mother with her > > newborn child. > > He does not seem dissatisfied. > > He lopes out to the bus every morning at <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 > />7:05, eager for a day of simple work. > > > > > He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before > dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for > his next day's laundry chores. > > And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin > to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes and, and speculate > loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. > > > > "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. > > His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. > > And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. > > > > He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. > > His life is simple. > > He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not > care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs > have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be. > > > > > His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When > he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in > it. > > He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job > until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. > > > He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure. > > He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when > you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue. > > Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry > when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. > And he trusts God. > > Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as > a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way > that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his > closest companion. > > In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the > security Kevin has in his simple faith. > > It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge > that rises above my mortal questions. > > > > It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . I > am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become > disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care. > > Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has > spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and > soaking up the goodness and love of > > God. > > And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed > at how close God really is to our hearts, > > I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that > God lived under his bed. > > Kevin won't be surprised at all! > > > > When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is > nothing attached. This is powerful. > > > > Just send this to four people and do not break this, please. Prayer is one > of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. > > FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE TROUBLE > REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY. > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >